European Youth Championship latest
The Irish Youth squad are putting the finishing touches to their preparations today ahead of the opening bell for the eagerly anticipated 2011 European Youths Championships in Dublin.
The Championships glove off at the Citywest Convention Centre in Dublin tomorrow.
Over 200 boxers from 38 nations will be competing in the Irish capital.
Hosts Ireland, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Germany, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine will be using a full compliment of 10 boxers, while Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania have sent eight athletes to Dublin.
World and European Junior champions Gasan Gimbatov and Igor Kharitonov and AIBA World Youth bronze medalist, Vasiliy Vetkin, are included in the Russian panel.
Lithuania’s Youth Olympic champion, Ricardas Kumcaitis, and compatriot, Eimantas Stadionis, a bronze medal winner at the European Junior Championships, will also be competing in Dublin.
Germany will also be out in force, with bantamweight Theo Krechlok, the current AIBA World Junior champ, 2011 Brandenburg Youth Cup gold medalist – Ireland’s Michael O’Reilly claimed gold at welterweight and the boxer of the tournament award at same – Philip Nsingi, and European Junior bronze medalist, Roman Freiss, included in their squad.
Polish Youth champ Dawid Jagodzinski is in at light-flyweight, while Denislav Suslekov, a bronze medal winner at the AIBA World Youth Championships, will represent Bulgaria.
Armenia’s AIBA World Junior champion Koryun Soghomonyan, Azerbaijan’s European Junior Championships silver medalist Rauf Rakhimov, and Georgia’s AIBA Junior World Championships silver medalist Aleko Chadashvili, will also be trading leather by the banks of the Liffey.
IABA President Tommy Murphy said: ” “We are very proud to be hosting the European Youth Championships in our Centenary year and we extend a warm welcome to all the nations taking part in this prestigious tournament.
“The young boxers from all over Europe that will be competing in Dublin are the future of our sport and we are all looking forward to what will be a fantastic sporting occasion.”
The Irish squad arrived in the Citywest Hotel yesterday.
European Youth Championships Citywest Hotel Dublin August 22nd/27th
Irish Squad
49Kg: Evan Metcalfe (Crumlin)
52Kg: Joe Fitzpatrick (Immaculata)
56Kg: George Bates (St Mary’s)
60Kg: Michael McDonagh (St Mary’s) (cpt)
64Kg: Kieran Forde (Monivea)
69Kg: Michael O’Reilly (Portlaoise)
75Kg: Stephen Broadhurst (Dealgan)
81Kg: Gary Sweeney (All Stars)
91Kg: Jack Morrissey (Sacre Coeur)
91+Kg: Thomas Conroy (Ballyhaunis)
Team Manager: Joe Hennigan
Coaches: Billy McClean, Tony Davitt, Gus Farrell and Paddy Hughes.
